Blog – Water Inquiry

Mission Possible: Adapting Water Inquiry for the Preschool Age Group

Posted on September 5, 2022 by Tamarin Camp

In late spring, I was given the opportunity to partner with the Smith College Museum of Art to create and facilitate a water inquiry exploration for preschool-aged children, inspired by Maya Lin's "Mappings" collection. Photo Gallery Background / Context I spent my formative years at Seattle Country Day School, an inquiry-based school serving gifted students … Continue reading Mission Possible: Adapting Water Inquiry for the Preschool Age Group

The Shape of Winter: An Outdoor Puzzle

Posted on February 28, 2021February 28, 2021 by Carol Berner

Recognizing the stress that the pandemic continues to have on children, their families and educators, we hope this fresh end-of-winter "outdoor puzzle" will inspire your senses and imagination. What shapes of winter can you find outdoors, or through your window? Observe and record your findings, then create a piece of art combining shapes, sounds, … Continue reading The Shape of Winter: An Outdoor Puzzle

Remote Water Inquiry

Posted on July 25, 2020July 25, 2020 by Carol Berner

“This is really going to work online” “I wanted to share with you how I decided to launch the water inquiry this year, under these strange circumstances.” During the pandemic pivot, Eva Jaffe and her first grade students at Campus School piloted a remote version of Inquiry Inc and the Case of the Missing Ducklings. … Continue reading Remote Water Inquiry

Piloting “Inquiry, Inc and the Case of the Flooded Fields”

Posted on November 24, 2019February 21, 2020 by Carol Berner

"It's science! It's inquiry! It's imagination!" Nan Childs, pilot teacher This October, Nan Childs’ second and third grade class at Hilltown Cooperative Charter Public School became the first to pilot a new curriculum designed by the Water Inquiry project. The class, called the Greens, followed Inquiry Inc.’s new adventure in The Case of the Flooded … Continue reading Piloting “Inquiry, Inc and the Case of the Flooded Fields”

Water Inquiry and The Year on Climate Change

Posted on October 20, 2019February 18, 2020 by Carol Berner

The fall semester is underway, and students are settling into classes. Already, Water Inquiry has a ton of news to share, including a new project we’ve been working on since last year. But first, it’s our pleasure to introduce some (relatively) new members of our team. Emily Buck (she/her) is a first year from Iowa … Continue reading Water Inquiry and The Year on Climate Change

April showers bring… May storm drains?!

Posted on May 31, 2019January 2, 2020 by Carol Berner

Wonder why first graders were peering intently down storm drains in an April downpour? They were figuring out how to rescue ducklings, prompted by the problem-solving story Inquiry, Inc. and the Case of the Missing Ducklings. This spring, Campus School first grade teachers Eva Jaffe and Emma Pascarella piloted the first in a series of … Continue reading April showers bring… May storm drains?!

November 2018: Original Stories, New Members

Posted on November 10, 2018January 2, 2020 by Carol Berner

We’re halfway through another semester here at Smith College, and the Water Inquiry team has been busy. Not only did we gain several new members, but we met several times during the month to discuss developments on projects new and old. Water Inquiry’s own Ruth Neils taught our first story, Inquiry, Inc. and The Case of … Continue reading November 2018: Original Stories, New Members

Missing Ducklings at Maple Elementary

Posted on May 1, 2018January 2, 2020 by Carol Berner

“Yeah! Missing ducklings!” two first graders exclaimed, high-fiving one another while sitting criss-cross-applesauce on Margaret Betts’ classroom rug. It was Friday the 13th, but the Water Inquiry Story Group was surrounded by enthusiasm at the launch of Inquiry, Inc. and the Case of the Missing Ducklings at Maple Elementary School. Hazy sunlight hinted of spring … Continue reading Missing Ducklings at Maple Elementary

The Flow of “Big Ideas”: Third Grade River Inquiry at the Smith College Campus School

Posted on March 25, 2018January 2, 2020 by Carol Berner

“Always be on the lookout for the presence of wonder.” –E.B. White “That explains it!” one student exclaimed while looking under rocks on the banks of the Mill River. It was a sunny afternoon in Northampton, Massachusetts, and Jan Szymaszek’s third grade class was rapt. Autumn leaves drifted from branches, landing atop craggy boulders, or else … Continue reading The Flow of “Big Ideas”: Third Grade River Inquiry at the Smith College Campus School

A Duckling Story Computer Game? Read on!

Posted on January 28, 2018January 2, 2020 by Carol Berner

It was a Saturday morning in January, -14 degrees, but students at the Williston Northampton School were bundled and ready to learn. In a basement classroom in Easthampton, Massachusetts, Water Inquiry researchers Brittany Collins and Lily Sun projected images of Inquiry Inc. onto the SmartBoard in Kim Evelti’s Intro to Programming class and introduced students … Continue reading A Duckling Story Computer Game? Read on!